The number of complaints being received dropped off during the latter part of 2009 and most of 2010. However in 2011, FDA once again started seeing the number of complaints rise to the levels of concern that prompted release of our earlier warnings.

Since the issuance of the CVM Update on November 18, 2011, the agency has received numerous additional complaints regarding chicken jerky products.

Types of Jerky Pet Treat Products. What are the products involved?

The cautionary update issued in November 2011 specifically refers to chicken jerky products that are imported from China. These dried chicken jerky products, intended for dogs, may also be sold as tenders, strips or treats.

Has the agency received reports of illness associated with other types of jerky treats?

Yes. More recently (2012), the product-associated complaints have expanded to other jerky pet treat products such as duck and sweet potato jerky treats. Our investigation now includes these types of jerky treat products.

Are there specific brands we should be concerned about?

No specific products have been recalled because a definitive cause has not been determined. The FDA continues to actively investigate the problem and its origin. If the FDA identifies the cause, the agency will take appropriate action and notify the public.

Why aren’t these products being taken off the market?

There is nothing preventing a company from conducting a voluntary recall. It is important to understand that unless a contaminant is detected and we have evidence that a product is adulterated, we are limited in what regulatory actions we can take. The regulations don't allow for products to be removed based on complaints alone. This is an ongoing investigation and FDA will notify the public if a recall is initiated. Currently, FDA continues to urge pet owners to use caution with regard to jerky pet treat products.

Advice to Pet Owners and Consumers

Should I stop feeding chicken jerky treats to my dog?

YES!!!! Chicken jerky products should not be substituted for a balanced diet and are intended to be fed occasionally in small quantities. But STOP FEEDING THEM!!!!FDA is advising consumers who choose to feed their dogs chicken jerky products to watch their dogs closely for any or all of the following signs that may occur within hours to days of feeding the products:

If the dog shows any of these signs, stop feeding the chicken jerky product. Owners should consult their veterinarian if signs are severe or persist for more than 24 hours. Blood tests may indicate kidney failure (increased urea nitrogen and creatinine). Urine tests may indicate Fanconi-like syndrome (increased glucose).

What are the signs of illness that are being reported?

The signs that may be associated with jerky pet treat products include decreased appetite; decreased activity; vomiting; diarrhea, sometimes with blood; increased water consumption and/or increased urination. These signs may occur within hours to days of feeding the products.Laboratory tests may indicate kidney problems, including Fanconi-like syndrome. Although many dogs appear to recover, some reports to the FDA have involved dogs that have died.FDA continues to investigate the problem and its origin. Some of the illnesses reported may be the result of causes other than eating jerky pet treat products.

What should I do if my dog shows signs of illness after eating pet jerky treat products?

If your dog shows any of the signs listed above, stop feeding the jerky pet treat product. Owners should consult their veterinarian if signs are severe or persist for more than 24 hours.

Replies to This Discussion

It is things like this that make me so glad I listened to you guys and made the switch to raw. Treats now consist of cucumber, strawberrys and blueberries for rufus. I just feel sorry for those who have unsuspectedly fed these treats to their dogs and now it has made them ill.

I started off with pre-made raw in the beginning but over the last few weeks I have just been doing it myself with meat from the butchers. It is just as easy, but a lot more expensive! Rufus seems to love it though and I can see the benefits so it is worth the money. Is this stuff in pre-made raw food too?

Hi no its not thank goodness it's these jerky treats!! That's sooo great! Gosh I would have thought it was cheaper to go to the butcher! What do ou feed him? So far I've given the girls raw chicken backs they go nuts!!!!!!!! There's a good Facebook group I belong to you should join its called Holistic,raw, and premium dog food diets for Canines. It's a small group of us but it's got info under the "docs" section! You should join:-)

Hey Christine. I have sent a request to the group you recommended, I have also sent you a friend request, I hope you don't mind!
So far he has had chicken wings (never again though, he nearly swallowed it whole and gave me the fright of my life) chicken feet, chicken neck, chicken thigh, chicken breast (just the meat, no bone but this can be pricey), rabbit, ox kidney (he isn't a fan!), liver, heart, tripe, lamb leg (this was very expensive for dog food, Will only be an occasional treat), fish (I can't remember what fish I gave him now, but I did get my gran to remove as many of the bones as she could and the head, tail and scales, yuk!), raw eggs, natural yogurt and I have the ribcage of a lamb currently defrosting for tea. I am still reading loads on raw feeding and trying to slowly introduce new things to him. He absolutely loves it but the patties were only 86p per pattie (you buy them separately here, they don't come in a bag like you had in your video) and that lasted him 2 days so buying the fresh meat is working out a lot more but I don't mind so much seen as he enjoys it. I do feed him an occasional pattie here and there though when we need to go to the butchers or sometimes for convenience as he takes quite a long time to eat a meal with bone in it and I don't always have the time to stand and watch him. I hope the new group on fb will give me some more ideas for meals. I still use the coconut oil and luckily haven't had to use the sweet potato for "toilet issues" lol

Wow good for you Laura so I'm babysitting a friends pug for a few weeks and she feeds it kibble and my pugs won't go near it so funny!!!I can't believe you have done all those different proteins that is sooooo great I am afraid of Sasha choking on a bone simply because she inhales everything, sometimes I wonder if she ever new how to chew:) that's so funny how you said your dont have time to stand around and watch him eat that's exactly what I do!! Gosh I have so many recipes written down if I ever type them up I'll email you:-) a lot people buy the meat fresh from the butcher and grind it with whatever veggies and supplements and freeze it and make enough fir about two-three weeks worth that's what I want to do!!! Eventually....

No, I bet with their new diets the girls look at the kibble and think yuk! I have managed to get him to try quite a few different things but it has all been done very slowly and luckily, we haven't *touch wood* had any upset tummies. I know, its scary isn't it watching them inhale their food. Rufus did it with that chicken wing and honestly I didn't sleep a wink all night and worried myself sick all of the next day until he eventually pooped. I had convinced myself he would have caused himself an internal blockage and was fearing the worst. I gave him the next bone partially frozen which seemed to slow him right down and he had to actually chew at it. Doing that would be great, we unfortunately don't have the freezer space so all of the shopping for Rufus is done on a week by week basis which is a bit of a pain. That group on fb you recommended it really helpful, so thanks for that :)

Sure thing so glad you are a part of it!!! I will let you know when I start preparing my own!! I read an article where someone compared starting your dog on raw is like riding a bike unjust have to do it and don't look back:-)

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Here we are another year together on Pugslife"as we have gone through the years we've seen many changes not only here but,in our on lives,some have moved on in life.Here in my life i've had many changes actually most for the best as i rescue many not just pugs but,all that is so special to me and i know hold a seat on our tourism and event committee.As i will always consider pugslife home and very much my family,i hope everyone here has the best of a New Year and i look forward to sharing my…See More